Teen to be tried as adult in connection to basketball court shooting

Takim Neal accidentally shot 16-year-old, officials say

A teenager accused of accidentally shooting another teen on an Orlando basketball court will be charged as an adult, according to investigators.

Takim Neal, 17, known to his friends as T.K., appeared before a judge at the Orange County Jail Wednesday.

Neal was transferred to the jail from juvenile detention after authorities decided to charge him as an adult in the accidental shooting that left 16-year-old Mario Whitehead partially paralyzed. He is charged with culpable negligence causing injury and possession of a firearm by a minor in the incident.

Police reports claim that Neal was handling a handgun on Jan. 21 at Willie Mays Park when the firearm accidentally went off and struck Whitehead in the upper body.

The bullet lodged itself in Whitehead's spine, paralyzing him from the abdomen down.

Whitehead's family members held a prayer vigil at Willie Mays Park two days after the incident.

"This is a place for children," said Whitehead's mother, Marvel Giles. "Why would you have a weapon out here? My child is laying in the hospital paralyzed and accident or not this never should have happened."

According to the initial arrest affidavit for Neal, witnesses on the basketball court told police that there was no fight before the shooting and thought the boys knew each other.

Neal also faces additional charges of robbery and aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in connection with a separate incident that occurred in January. He is being held on $20,000 bond.

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